Description
Presenting a unique piece of firearm history, this Colt Model 1900, known for its “sight safety” feature, is a prototype of significant historical importance. Crafted around the turn of the century, circa 1900, this singular pistol is the precursor to subsequent “sight safety” models. Its development is meticulously chronicled on pages 105-107 of “Colt Automatic Pistols” by Bady. Originally a proud part of the esteemed Sidney Aberman automatic pistol collection, the Colt Model 1900’s design was groundbreaking. However, military personnel and civilian marksmen deemed its initial sight/safety mechanism inadequate. This led to the evolution of this distinctive prototype. The pistol’s slide maintains the original slot of the sight safety, enhanced by a longitudinal dovetail cut to incorporate a new fixed rear sight.
The evolution of the design can be seen in the meticulous craftsmanship that integrates a small filler block above the brass/bronze firing pin, aligning with the rear sight cross-pin—a testament to the prototype’s transitional nature. Modern additions include a checkered round top hammer, reminiscent of later models, and a striking “1900” stamp on the left grip panel, complemented by the “1/R.W.W” inspector’s initials etched on the right—a nod to its prototype status without a serial number.
This Colt Model 1900 is a cornerstone in Colt’s history, marking their foray into semi-automatic pistol production, an endeavor spearheaded by the legendary John M. Browning. With an original run of roughly 3,500 units from 1900, this model catered to both commercial markets and military needs. The left slide of this pistol bears the early Colt inscriptions, proudly displaying the “BROWNING’S PATENTS” and “PAT.’D APRIL 20.1897”, further accented by “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A.” The early design features, like the sixteen serrations at the slide’s front and the iconic Rampant Colt logo, speak to its authenticity and lineage. The right slide is clearly marked “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” ahead of the ejection port, with the slide’s identification as “#2667”. This model boasts a uniform blued metal finish with a case-hardened rear sight and hammer, rounded off with a blued seven-round magazine featuring a plain base plate.
